Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-10-06
SOWN BY THE WAYSIDE.
How Bill Benson Kept The Oath He Sacredly
SWOre.

drew themselves into the 1nH0rmOSG re-
cesses OF their great coats to avoid con-
tact with the frosty air.
Near midnight, my days toll complet-
ed, I laid aside my pen, wrapped myself
up snugly and stepped out into the storm
homeward bound. It vas an awful night.
The hard frozen snow drifted in binding
clouds before the biting northwest wind.
The first gust went through my heavy
clothing like knife, and forced me in
to run TO quicken the sluggish flow of
my blood. But few persons appeared on
the streets; the cars had ceased moving;
the night was almost alone with the
storm. "a
"Evening paper, sir. Won't you buy,
pIease?"
1t was the pleading voice a little news
girl.
Duringla journalistic career of several
years / had grown accustomed to appeals
like this at ali hours and at all seasons.
There was no attraction for me at
that moment in any paper, but there was
something in the plaintive tone. of the
child's words that induced me to turn
and look into the pinched, yet beautiful
face.
"Only one left; won't yoE buy, sir?" she
repeated.
"How is it that you are out so late on
such a night, little one?" 1 asked.
Haven't sold out yet" was the simple
explanation.
"And will you go right home if I buy
your last papers,
eyes, sir; just as soon as Billy has sold
out"
"Aud who is Billy" / inquired.
ooh, he's my chum; he's over there on
ha oil - and fnIinwInQ the
ton of her hand I saw in q door
way the shivering figure of half-clad
boy, who still had papers to sell under
his arm. e.. .,,,.r
l purchased the, girls last paper. and
urging herto get home speedily, stepped
into a dark and convenient doorway to
await developments, for instinct told me
that ] would find therein not only
food for thought, hut material for future
use.
She dashed across the street in the d.
rection OF Billy, needless of everything
else, while the cutting wind tore through
her thin cotton dress, and threatened to
carry her away bodily.
"I've sold out, Billy" heard her shout
gleeffuJ, as she ran up to the shiVering
lad d + low many have 70" got lef's'
take one, and let's GO home.'
Bays response to this generous pro
posal Was lost in the roar of the storm,
but actions speak louder than words.
paper, STRIP he cried running up to a
man who was passing, Offering him the
latest news from all parts of the earth
for cent. But. without even looking at
the little fellow, the gentleman passed on.
AS if in pitiless contempt for the I'M
successful efforts of the little merchant
to dispose of his stock in trade, the wind
howled and shrieked about the corners
more fiercely than before.
Billy hesitated but a moment, then
grasping his two papers tightly under
one arm and placing the other, with a
large half Of his ill-fitting coat, about the
form of his little girl chum, he started off
In an easterly direction.
| could hear no sound of his voice, but
BilIy's actions said: Little chum, you
would wait in the cold for me. you would
even share my loss on the papers I could
not sell: you are altogether too good to
stay out this terrible night for my sake
so come home. My, how cold you must
be, let me keep the wind off, and so ne
wrapped his coat about the frail creature,
and placing her on the sheltered side
of his own half clad figure, the little news
boy and his friend set out on their dreary
way.
The storm increased in violence. My
way would have led me In the teeth of the
blast, and 1 was tempted to return TO the
office for the night, but the desire to
know more about Billy and his compan-
ion burned within me. An influence that
had no inclination TO resist impelled
me TO follow them, and before their re-
treating figures had disappeared In
the distance I was pressing rapidly after
them.
They were engaged in earnest CONVEX
sation. Apparently the topic absorbed all
their thought, and my approach and the
storm were alike disregarded.
Twas near enough to overh ear some of
their words and catch some sentences.
Billy addressed his companion as Katie.
Miss Emery's name was frequently men
toned, and I gathered that Katie went to
Sunday school and Miss Emery was her
teacher. Katie was lavish in her praise
of this kind lady. Billy longed for some
one who would be as good to him.
''Ain't good to you Billy" said Katie,
in an aggrieved tone.
"You betw he replied emphatically, and
L thought he drew her closer as he spoke.
Il didn't mean you; I meant some one
like Miss Emery"
"If your father would quit drinking
that dreadful stuff he would be good to
you then, and SO would your mother.
Gather will never stop drinking said
Billy hopelessly. He's drunk all the
time; he tiogs me when ] don't sell all my
papers and give him the money; mothers
almost crazy, and Benny's dying, I be-
heve; he's awful sick and never has en-
ougn 10 eat-and-an d"-ard great sob
told that Billy's cup of sorrow was full
and running over.
"Poor Benny" sighed Katie. svmna-
thizingly. "But don't cry, Billy. Miss
Emery says it's always darkest lust he
fore the dawn Maybe Benny'n get we'll.
hope he will; and perhaps your father
won't hurt you tonight"
''Yes. he WILL" sobbed Billy. He
means to pound the life out of me some
of these nights, know he doesr'
The couple now stopped before the
door of a large tenement house, and sue
ceeded in getting into q eiQhborinp